Natives of Akakumama Community in Okoroma Clan, Nembe Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, have sent a save our soul message to the governor, Senator Douye Diri, over the high boat levies, allegedly imposed by military personnel at the Obama Flow Station.
The residents also called on the Member representing Nembe Constituency 1, Mr. Oteigbanyo George-Braah, lamenting that the high levy has forced boat operators plying the Yenagoa–Brass route to abandon the Okoroma River.
In a statement on behalf of the youths of Akakumama and the entire Okoroma Clan, the community’s Vice President, Mr Lawrence Belemo, decried that the development had subjected residents to severe hardship.
According to Belemo, the development has left most residents, particularly market women stranded and disrupted commercial activities and daily movement.
The youths leader said the alleged high taxation was making it difficult for residents to access markets, travel and provide for their families.
He appealed to the governor and the lawmaker to urgently intervene by engaging the relevant authorities to review and reduce the alleged levy to enable boat operators return to the river route.
“I, Comrade Lawrence Belemo, Vice President, Akakumama Community, Okoroma Clan, on behalf of the youths of Akakumama and the entire Okoroma Clan, hereby condemn the hardship our people are facing.
“The military at Obama Flow Station are collecting a very high local boat tax / levy from boat owners on the Yenagoa to Brass route.
“The tax is too high. Because of this, boat owners have decided not to pass through Okoroma River anymore.
“Now our mothers, our market women, our people are stranded. Business don stop. Market women cannot go to market. People cannot travel. Families cannot feed.
“We are not saying they blocked the road. We are saying the levy is too high, and it has chased our boats away.
“We are peaceful people. We are calling on His Excellency, Senator Douye Diri, Governor of Bayelsa State, and Hon. Oteigbanyo George-Braah, Member representing Nembe Constituency 1, to please intervene and help us.
“Please call the authorities to order and reduce this levy, so our boats can return and our people can survive. Our river is our road. Our market is our life.”
The alleged development also generated some reactions on Facebook.
Mr John Ome, “Why asking the military men to reduce their criminal activities. Are they supposed to collect money in the first place? Is the company they are working for not paying them? What I wish to hear from you is to appeal to the government to stop those military men from perpetuating those criminal activities in our water ways.”
Diki Ono “This is criminal in disguise we should raise a protest.”
Emma Ala “The extortion is too much. This people should be put to order. Well done my senior brother.”
Ogo T. J, “I totally condem this act of the military.”
